Hello! I’m Rachel Corsini and I write women’s fiction that leans heavily toward romance. Outside of writing, I work as a teacher for the New York City Department of Education, working with under-credited over-age high school students to help them on the path toward graduation. It can be tiring but very rewarding work. Aside from that I spend a lot of my time taking ballet classes and working on my crochet projects. Writing for me has always been a part of my life. I kept a journal religiously when I was younger which then morphed into short stories and many unfinished novels. I focussed primarily on ballet when I was younger, but writing was always in the background. When I decided to stop pursuing ballet is when I took writing more seriously, but that didn’t mean that I worked to develop a novel when I was younger. That didn’t happen until recently, which is where Sushi and Sea Lions came from.
Meet Rachel Corsini
Questions on Writing
What was the hardest part of writing Sushi and Sea Lions?
The hardest part of writing Sushi and Sea Lions was allowing myself to be honest about all of the emotions I needed to draw on to write this book. During the initial drafts, I held back a lot. Daniela is a reflection of myself and in order to make it as authentic as possible I had to dig deep and reflect on things I hadn’t thought about in years. When I was able to put all that onto the page was when Sushi and Sea Lions really shined. Giving myself the space to do that was definitely difficult, but I did it!
What have you learnt about yourself when writing?
So many things. I learned that I am far more emotional than I let on, but that I keep it close to my heart so that I don’t break apart easily. That there were things I had repressed for a very long time that I needed to let go of. But, with writing, that I often ignored things relating to my own life because I wasn’t ready to speak to any of that yet. I wrote so many things in different genres trying to avoid writing what I knew and none of them ever worked out. When I gave in was when Sushi and Sea Lions became the book that it is and when I actually finished writing a novel.
Do you make yourself write everyday/regularly, or only when inspiration strikes?
I am not an everyday writer. I take my time and I write when I feel called to do it. That’s why it can take me so long. I also have a demanding day job with outside responsibilities so that can take away from the writing as well. It is a hard balance to maintain. When I do sit down to write I can write a couple thousand words in each setting, but I have to be in the right head space to do it.
What does literary success look like to you?
Literary success to me is just having the book out there in the world and for people to enjoy the story. I am not one of those writers who is thirsting for the bestseller list or to make a fortune from writing. Would it be great to be able to write full time? Absolutely. I don’t think that financial success is the ultimate goal though. It’s nice to have my work out there and I feel that is a level of success in itself.
How much planning/world building do you do before writing, and how much comes along as you write?
I am a plantser. I curate snippets of scenes beforehand that start out the story, so I develop a bullet point list of things I was to hit when I am writing. From there, the story starts and I just keep going. If I get stuck I move on to something else and see what happens. It’s fluid. It also can make for a messy first draft because I often have to go in and re-organise things. It works for me though. I know not everyone could write this way.
What inspired the title: Sushi and Sea Lions?
It is kind of a metaphor. I’ll explain. Daniela is struggling with truly loving and liking herself at the start of the book. Two of her favourite things are sushi and the sea lions at the zoo. Her “boyfriend” at the start of the book doesn’t really appreciate her for who she is and teases her about what she loves often. So, she represses those things initially. As she grows in the story her love for herself does too and she is more confident in the things she loves. Two things happen in the story that affirm this, a sushi dinner date and a moment at the Bronx Zoo by the sea lion pool. That’s where the title originated.
How do you celebrate when a book is published?
When Sushi and Sea Lions was published I had a launch event at the bar where the characters from the story hang out frequently. It was a regular local place that I frequented as well. It was such a fun night! I had a lot of people come out to support me too and that made it very special. I don’t know if I will do that again for my next book (whenever that is). I like to find something that connects to the setting of the story that is meaningful too.
Questions on Books and About You
Firstly, the most important question, what books are currently ‘on your bedside table’?
This is a great one! Currently waiting for me to dig into is: Clara and Olivia by Lucy Ashe, Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon, Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare, and Batman Vs. Bigby: A Wolf in Gotham by Bill Willingham, Brian Level, Jay Leisten, and Lee Loughridge.
What children’s book would you suggest every adult read?
Peter Pan. No question. It is a tragedy and you don’t realise it until you read it as an adult. The adventure is masked in sadness. The inability to move forward. The inability to grow up. The loss of everyone around you when you can’t move on like the rest of the world. It’s very sad. That message is lost when you read it as a child.
What does your writing space look like?
My writing space is simple. Just my laptop by the side of my couch with my little emotional support animals. I loved stuffed animals. I think they’re so cute and they make me smile, so I have a collection there to help me write, ha!
How many books do you think you own?
Oh man…uh…a hundred? Maybe more. My bookcases are filled with all my favourite books from childhood to now. I really love antique and vintage books and have a variety of them on my bookcase. I have my dad’s books from when he was a kid as well as some random book finds that I’ve collected over the years. I showcase them even if I’m not grabbing those books to read regularly
Who is your literary icon?
This is a hard one! I have a few. Jane Austen because I consider her the mother of the romance novel even though there was no smut. Talk about development of a slow burn and creating enemies to lovers! Pride and Prejudice is amazing for that. Diana Gabaldon for the way she intertwines multiple storylines and keeps track of everything. The whole world she has created is incredible as well. So much research and attention to detail as well. Incredible. Erin Morgenstern for imagery. Her descriptions are so lush and wonderful. I wish mine were that way.
If you could own one rare/1st edition copy of a book, which would it be?
Oddly enough I own it! Peter Pan. I have a first edition copy of it that I got when I was in college from a friend of mine. It is my most prized possession and favourite book of all time. It’s beautiful. I treasure that copy so much.
Is there an author who you always read?
If I like a book by an author I will usually return to them. I think a lot of us are like this, but I will say Diana Gabaldon is one I have done that with religiously. I need to know how the Outlander story ends. Also, I have read the entirety of Fables by Bill Willingham. It’s a graphic novel series, so a little different, but it gripped me from beginning to end. Hence, the new one waiting for me to crack open…also, I love Batman so it won’t be a chore. Jessica Clare has also become a must read. I definitely read The Starless Sea just because I loved the Night Circus so much too. Do they all count?
And finally, are there any plans for any new books? If so, what teasers can you give us?
I am plucking away at my WIP as we speak! It is connected to Sushi and Sea Lions, but is focussed on Daniela’s best friend Tricia instead. Here is a little sneak peek from my first draft:
Nikos Andreas. Naked Nick. The Greek God. Better yet, Nick the Prick. The first guy who disappeared on me and turned my senior year of college into a dumpster fire. The ghost of college past. I literally slammed into him at the bar. Amidst a sea of gyrating drunken bodies, Nikos had to be standing next to me with his buddy Stavros.
“Tricia?”
“Nick?”
“This is weird.” Stavros guzzled water. I wondered where the rest of his Greek army was. There’d been five of them who partied together, albeit way too hard. Part of the reason for the ghosting most likely. Jerk. I drummed my fingers against the bar.
“What are you doing in Mykonos?” He asked.
“I’m here with the girls.” I tried to peer over his shoulder, but I didn’t catch sight of them. Hopefully, Daniela was okay and Mellie was keeping her from flinging herself over the rock wall onto the sand. I wasn’t going to go to great lengths about the fact that it was a breakup trip, trying to cheer Dany up from losing her sea lion. Whatever the hell that meant. I loved my bestie, but sometimes I didn’t get her.
“Daniela and Mellie?”
I nodded. He looked the same. A regular Adonis with thick black curls and cavernous brown eyes. Gorgeous. I licked my lips, eyes drifting down his rock-hard abs to where his swim trunks landed just high enough…heat rose to my face.
Thank you Rachel😊I am so jealous of your first edition Peter Pan!
Rachel Corsini’s Books
Books By Your Bedside 